Cloak and Dagger: A Recommendation from Rommel

Welcome to the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we are going to bring you this week's episode of Cloak and Dagger. But first I do want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And remember today's program is brought you

You willing to undertake a dangerous mission behind the enemy lines, knowing you may never return alive.

What you have just heard is the question asked during the war to agents of the OSS. Ordinary citizens to this question answered yes, This is Clock and Dagger. Black warfare, espionage, international intrigue. These are the weapons of the OSS. Today's story recommendation from Rummel about an American OSS agent in Italy who almost outsmarted himself, is suggested by actual incidents recorded in the Washington fire of the Office of Strategic Services, a story that can now be told.

Hey, come back here. You can't leave me here. I demand to see someone in the thirty Let me out of here.

Brother. That was some spot to be in me. Joe Donado in a jail seller, Milan, Italy. It was crazy. Well, after a while, I got tired of yelling. So I sat down on a narrow prison cot and thought back to the way it had begun. On a train from Verasi to Milan. The French Underground had smuggled me from Leon across Switzerland, and I made my way over the border. There on, I was on my own, posing as an

I have a mistake.

Do not tell me of mistakes. This is your stupidity. You had your orders. No, no, I instructed the train. God, I will not have this disturbance, you understand, Yes, excellency, I am sorry if I have been the cause of this I assure you it was quite unintentional. I will take my suitcases and may immediately. I'll see if it is best you live. I will find you another comput

Actually I would welcome company. I did test train rides. Better arrange the table for me in the dining consci agency.

You're a stupid Next attention to such a fuss over nothing? Tell me your name? Oh my name is Donato. You said donat to your excellency. Where you're headed for? S Donato? Oh, I am getting off at Milano. See well, we should have time to get acquainted. It is time to get a quite ed. Great what are we going to talk about? Maybe I could get the conversation started by saying Hairfield Marshall Ramo, it might interest you to know that I am an OSS spy. I am an Italia radio back

You must not blame yourself or something you cannot help.

Still, it is a great disappointment. Yes, I understand, your excellency.

Yes, Major your table in the dining room, you say, aha, look it.

I will return soon, or we will continue our conversation. We had taught ten minutes and I aged ten years. I wondered if I should change compartments before he came back. No, no, no, that might seem suspicious. I looked out of the window. The green rolling hills of citrus and otive trees didn't tell me anything. I just crossed my fingers and hoped we were coming in them a lot soon. You do not see what do you want with me? I do not want anything with you. Field Marshall wants to see you,

Yes, sit down there opposite me. Oh gratch, gratch, I thought about you after I left the compartment, Senor the lot or see see.

Would you care to join me for coffee? Senor? It would be my pleasure.

Coffee with Piel Marshal Ramel. When I tell the game back home about this, I thought.

There was a am across the aisle, a dab a little guy with a waxed mustache. I and Ramel nodded to each other, and then a dab a little old guy kept watching me, watching me.

Yeah, I never can get used to this Italian coffee with all its chickory.

Don't suppose I ever will. I would naturally have a fondness for it. I have had it all my life.

Well, was your home originally uh in Urbino, the birthplace of Raffia.

My family is still living there. Would you like to see some snapshots, your excellency, Yes, very much, and they are right here in my wallet. I hear you see that little farm in the valley. It is here, you see this is a huge sorry as the pretty child wish. Oh, my sister franchise, gay, she looks very much like you. Yea, it was interesting, Rama thought. The kid in the picture of these snapshots had been made by OSS photographers, and an early picture of me had been super imposed over

No, no, no, well surely well one two of them would not be mister. Is it all right with you if I sent my adjutant to get one of the suitcases? Yes, we Germans and Italians must share.

No, No, it's perfectly all right. Only I will get them myself.

No, I wanted the don't need major go to the compartment, bring one of the No, no, it is foolish to send him.

I can easily go myself. No, no, how insist.

We would have so little time for talking before the train stops at Milando.

I had no choice. I had to sit there and sweat it out, just pray that the adjutant brought back the right case. I felt as if there were a band of steel around my head that kept getting tighter and tighter. What is it, my friend? Are you not feeling well? Oh, it is very hot in here, is it not?

Yes, it is unfortunately. Yes, Perhaps I should quot the conductor and have it. Oh yeah, the Major returns with your samper case. The first thing I looked at when the Major put the case in my lap was the handle. There was a long scar in the letter. It was the one with the radio. You know I've always had a fondness for chocolates. Well, come open it. Well the catch it. It seems to be stuck.

Surely you can fix it. Oh see, see, of course that is a I will try. Dear to me, what what I have? An excellently depend Now, perhaps I can adjust the lot? No, no, no, no, no, I I will get it in the moment, I'm sure I Oh, Milano, that is my stop, Your excellency so soon? What a pity? Well, if if you wish, I will stay until the next station. All this for you take a buzz ball O. No, no, no, I would not think of it. It is too kind of you to suggest it.

We must say. I'll be the same Lefield Marshall Rommel. It has been a great honor. I hurried back to the compartment to get my coat, and hat, and then on an impulse, I grabbed the other case of the wreck and as the train stopped, I turned and ran back toward the dining room.

Then you, then you, I know, I know I'm getting off in a minute.

No momento, Yeah Hill Marshall, senor do not do I did not expect to see you, fair, your excellency, if you will permit me a hideous this case of chocolate, oh for your you see, luck works now.

Than gluts it multi grots you. If I passed through Milano, I would look you up. I don't know where I'd be staying, Sir. It is not difficult for the police to find the man.

I'll be the same, And with this pleasant thought, I left him glad.

To get off that train. You don't need oss training to tell you when someone's following you. It's an instinctive feeling you get. I started to walk a little faster, and the footsteps behind me quickly too. I passed a small coffee shop, and through the reflection in the window, I could see coming after me the man in the dining car who had never taking his eyes off me, the dapple little guy with a mustache. He and Ramel had nodded to each other. Was it a signal? Did

Of the crowd. I said, wait, wait to stop him with somebody?

God, what are you doing? Open that gate? I am sorry, Senor, this gate is closed, and now use the south day But I am sorry, this gate is closed, Senor. I've had such trouble catching Hapo with you. Who are you? Allow me?

Allow me to introduce myself. I am at the Count Pietro imperially.

What do you want with me?

Well, I noticed you were having coffee on the train with Phield Marshall or Rammel himself. I'm a great admirer of the Marshall, and I have a nodding acquaintance with him.

Or say, what has that to do with me?

Well, I have to know, Signor that Roma does not make friends easily. And so when I saw you two together, I I mean, ko, would you do me the extreme honor of joining me at my palace for dinner this evening? It would be a great pleasure to entertain a good friend of Romans.

As the long black limousine drove up to the palace. I felt like a visitor of the Middle Ages. The gray stone steps were hallowed age this way signor. The lower windows were blazing with life and till told you set in brackets like the doors. Quiet, quiet, quiet. The flaws are made of color a marble. On the walls hung ancient tapestries with scenes in the Old Testament. I

Now we will sit here in the library and talk of ramel siicatto.

Gratch You no tell me what was he like? What did he say?

Oh?

We merely exchanged pleasantries, Great leader, great chief. Once when he was in mid and he kept looking. He was lively. He was I want to set up my basket games. However, while this was being introduced to Alan and a while away, what was that little brandy? Oh, no, no brand, what is it? Bobo?

What's the matter, Good evening, Count Pale, They told me you were here.

You see Bobo, it is only Antonio.

Gum my, dear, I would I would like you to meet a friend, see Senior Giuseppe Donato, great friend of Rammers.

I am impressed. The pleasure is mine.

Gave Bill a quest. My secretary is very pretty.

Your lordship, there is a call on your private phone in a small library.

Oh see, I will return. It will give you two a chance to get acquired.

Riet Bobo, eh multe bella signorina. You are very pretty. Counting pettyally was right?

Did you find yourself faced into that compliments in your own No?

No, no, not at all. We Italians are proud of our beautiful women, and it is impossible not to notice how well you represent them.

Where do you live in Milano?

No?

No, no, I'm here on business.

Where are you staying?

Oh? I only arrived today. I've made no plans yet.

You are the count secretary, his personal secretary. Since the Countess passed on, I attend to all arrangements for his banquets and receptions, as well as his personal correspondence. Oh oh, I see he is on grand signor. I am very fond of him. I remember how disappointed he was when Field Marshall Romel failed to attend a reception he planned for him.

Why I know he told me that he is.

A great admirer of Ramel. So am I tell me about him?

Signor?

Does he intend to come to Milano soon? Perhaps we can plan something else in his honor.

I don't know his intentions.

Perhaps he is returning to Africa immediately.

I don't know that either. Here, well, I.

See you two have become acquainted, eh Martabne your lordship.

Since the Signor is staying in Milano, shall I give him the name of a good hotel.

Hotel with forty rooms here, most of them empathy, I should say not. You will stay here at me comello as long as you want.

GRATCHI molta gentile. I'm very grateful. They gave me a sweet to myself, with a tremendous canopy dead and a sculptured rug on the floor. Through the casement window I could see the Piazza Sundial, the narrow streets of Milan, and off in the distance the Church of Santa Maria del Grazia. Who was going to look for an American spy and I set up like that. Who was my order? Every night? I patted the radio on the suitcase and

Ah, this Italian summer makes me feel ten years younger. You know, if I were twenty years younger, I would be more tended to that dock E had secretary of mine.

I don't blame you. She seems to have taken an interest in you. Oh that's all she is.

See, she's a keep on to ask questions about you.

See you still have not told me why you want to see me at your office.

I refuse to speak business at the home, never do.

And your business I don't know that either. You will soon enough come.

My office is in the municipal building across the square.

I followed him across the square, over the fen and cobblestones. Everywhere around me were black shirted for shisty. I wondered if my good luck so far had made me too sure of myself. I followed him up the stairs the municipal building, down the narrow corridor, and we started the door third from the end, and then I know what his business was. Superintendent of police, brego, I beg of you, please go in, count Imperiality. I don't understand. Now you know my business.

I am superintendent of police, often an unpleasant occupation. Come in, I said, come in.

That's right.

I wanted to see you here because it's necessary for us to have a little talk about you and the police.

What have I to do with the police. How would you like to work for me? Come? Come, come, don't look so startled work for you as a member of the police.

But of course, perhaps this communication from a Rama will explain gratch. As you can see, it's a request from him for me to locate you in Milano and offer you this position. He's obviously very fond of you, great Chief Rommel, and he knows how badly you feel about your medical classification in the army.

Ah.

I don't know what to say, just to say you accept. Ordinarily, of course I would have to make extensive research into your background before offering you this position. But the personal recommendation from Ramel hardly makes that necessary. But what do you say, amico mio? What do you think I said?

I said yes in a hurry, and when I left the office later, I had a badge in everything. Ever since I bought the train of Verace, I had one bad scare after another, but so far nothing had happened. I was beginning to feel I had a charmed life until I got back to my suite at the palace. Antonia, Ah, what are you doing with that suitcase?

These are excellent chocolates? Will you have one?

What right have you in here?

I was curious about you. I found out I had reason to be curious. I'd like you to meet two friends, Jacamo and Mario.

For the first time I saw them, two men standing half hidden the shadows of the big room. And now the chair before Antonya was my suitcase. She turned it around so I could see the inside. The backing was off, the radio was gone. Who are these men? What is this? Do not be afraid. I don't know what's right. When she said we were thrain but.

This was a foolhardy place to leave your radio, Americano, I found a better hiding place in the wall, safe of an unused room in the palace. It is all right, sing your donato. We are partisans, members of the underground.

You you just stand there and tell me this. Why not? The American radio has given us proof who you are, no doctor, you want a proof of who we are? Escort, I'm listening. We will tell you all that you came here to find out. All you have to do is to ask and we will answer. We will answer even before you ask.

The Nazis are using northern Italy as a supply base for the Africa Core. In fact, Ramo is expecting air reinforcements to leave here at the end of the week.

How many plans? Seventy five bombers? Where are they in a field that caravet You're ten miles west? You wanted my police there was an altitude bomb there? Did you find it?

Is this what you mean?

Yes? Is there anyone in the underground who can duplicate it? The professor of chemistry in the University of Milando is a train. What you see, if you remove the pin from these bombs and plant them in an airplane, they'll explode automatically when the ship gains altitude. We will let you know when you can see the fireworks. Oh oh, and another bit of information. See it might interest you to know that you have been talking to a member of the FASCISTI secret police.

Anthonia, you look more lovely than ever this evening, my lord, and you and Miko, where are you going before it drive?

Sir?

How wonderful it must be to be young again, especially in the summer.

Well, go and enjoy yourselves. Oh we will, We are sure we will.

It is fortunate the Count and not invite himself a.

Long You're sure we can see everything from this hilltop, very sure.

When the planes take off from Carabicho after midnight, we will see them.

It's cool up here on this hill.

Not cool enough to offer you an excuse to put your arm around me.

Oh you remember what the Count said. We are young. It is summer in your business, business, Scott, listen the plans. They are taking off any minute now, any minute. What if something happened.

But if they weren't able to plant those bombs?

What if?

What if?

He Although this seems a poor way to repay Ramel for his hospitality, Rammel didn't get his seventy five of Obamas no sky protection, and that played a part when he was thrown back from l A La Main a short month later.

The OSAs continue to get total information or then Italy supply concentrations, troop movements, and underground activities. Each time police triangulation detected my radio antenna, I, as a member of the secret Police, would lead a raid. Having first as a member of the underground moved into another spot. And then one day the Americans took over Milan. I walked into G two headquarters to give them a personal work. What do you mean just walking into my office like this? Sergeant?

But you you hate came always Sergeant bro I'm in jail. You can't do this way, all right? To my congressman, Hey, come back, I demand to see someone the thirty.

Let me out of here.

I stand on my constitutional rights. Let me out of here. A week later, OSS in London sent verification on Lieutenant Joseph Donato, and an embarrassed g two Headquarters released him from jail. Thus, once again, the report of another agent closed with the words mission accomplished. Listen again next week for another true adventure from the files of Oss on Folk and Dagger.

Heard in today's Cloakndagger adventurer as Joe As, Ralph Bell, Rammel, Barry Kroger, the Count Arnold Moss, Antonia Jan Minor, the Colonel Raymond.

Edward Johnson.

Others were Boris Aplin, Jerry Jarrett and Carl Weber. The script was written by Winnifred Wolf and Jack Gordon. Music was under the direction of John Guart. Today's true OSS Adventure was based on the book Cloakandagger by Cory Ford and Alistair McMain. This program is directed by Lewis G. Cohn and Alfred Hollander, under the direction and supervision of Sherman Marx.

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Welcome Back.

A few weeks back, someone said you couldn't really do a lot of episode of this series. Well, the writers proved them wrong because this was great. Our hero was like, I thought I'd lived a charmed life, and then it turned out it was the Partisans who found his radio, and so it was like, yeah, you really didn't have a charmed life. But then the final twist did show him finally get into trouble, and that made me laugh. He needed some misadventure to balance that out and definitely